And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
They came to the fortress of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites. Then they went south through Judah, all the way to Beersheba.
This verse describes the census takers traveling throughout Israel's territory, from the northern fortress city of Tyre down to Beersheba in the south, counting all the people in the land.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of King David's census of Israel, where he sent officials to count all the fighting men in his kingdom. The route described covers the full extent of Israel's territory at that time - from Tyre in the north (near modern Lebanon) to Beersheba in the south, which was a common way to describe all of Israel ('from Dan to Beersheba'). The Hivites and Canaanites were peoples who lived in the land before Israel's conquest but had been incorporated into David's expanding kingdom.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.